Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-30
Remarkable Incident.


The death of Colonel w. Il. Smith, which
took place in New York few weeks since,
has brought TO light very remarkable in
cident. Miss Rheit Myron is the principal
figure in the drama, AID from her the fol-
lowing fscts have been obtained, with per.
mission for their publication Hayne Myron,
the father OF this young lady, was planter
in South Carolina. His home as typical
Southern home, spacious and hospitable,
surrounded by broad acres and faithful slaves.
His family consisted of his wife aud Rhett,
who was then little child, and the idol of
her father, as we'll as the pet of the planta-
ton. At the breaking out Of the war, in
the fall Of 1861, Hayne Myron Joined vol
untecr South Carolina regiment. Before
leaving home he had picture of his little
Girl painted in miniature and encased it in a
locket that he placed next to his heart say
ing "9iy darling, this will be papa's shield
when be is in danger, and his sun
shine when he rests :" and with eyes
filled with tears, he smothered the
face and sunny head of his child with
farewell kisses and hurried away
from his pegcefu home out to the world of
danger. Six months later, in skirmish in
Virginia, Hayne Myron was killed, in close
combat, by federal officer. Only few
words were sent to the old home to tell the
sad story.
During General Sherman's invasion into
South Carolina, the Myron homestead was
destroyed The widow and daughter con-
tinued 10 live on the plantation in an out.
building supported from the rents from the
lands. Two years ago Mrs. Myron died,
and through the influence of friends, Miss
Myron obtained position as governess in
the family Of Col. w. r. Smith, of New
York. She stated that her first meet
ing with Col. Smith was peculiar. That
when his wife introduced her to hin, say
ing, This is our new governess from South
Carolina, Miss Rhett Myron," his face be-
came deatbly white, and he gave sudden
start. He wes absent from home when Mrs.
Smith engaged her. He mechanically shook
hands with her and tried to speak, but his
lips seemed sealed But later his manner
chaoged TO Kindness and cordiality, and she
WAS treated more as an honored guest than
salaried teacher He insisted on paying
her four times the amount she charged for
her services and made her duties light. One
evening size was sitting in the family circle,
telling of her past life down in South Caro-
lima, of the spacious house with its twenty
columns, of the dusky slaves, who used TO
sit her on their shoulders, calling her their
"little queen,' as they carried her through
| the cotton fields, that looked like seas OF
snow foam For the first time she spoke oil
| her father, how handsome and sad he look
ed as he went away on that dreadful last
| day how he took her picture with him, and
| told all he said. She states that she was
forced to stop in the midst of her words. for
| Col. Smith turned CHASTITY pale and left the
room. 'It all seemed strange TO me then,
| she said, but the meaning is plain now"
Miss Myron continued TO live with Colonel
Smiths family for two years 1T was o
| heaven and home to me-" she said. Il bad
SO long toiled and worked on our plantation,
| isolated from society and all advantages, it
was like fairy life bad opened to me of ease
and luxury, but my heart was almost break
| Jag, as | remembered all that had lost IN
| these sad. sweet days."
Six weeks ago Col. Smith was taken sud
denly i'll, and when he realized that death
| was inevitable, he expressed desire to see
Miss Myron alone. She states that as she
neared the bed of the dying man she saw
! him holding something convulsively in one
| hand. as he extended the other to her and
exclaimed: :"Rhett Myron, forgiven me before
die; without your pardon | cannot die; come
close aud listen to what | have to tell you
1t was 1 who made you an orphan. My
hands are red with your fathers blood
Take this" he said, handing ME the pack
age, Il found it on his dying breast. IL is
your face; your name and his name are up.
on it. Take it, and forgive one who has
tried to expiate the wrongs done you. Oh
can you forgive a dying man?" and the
voice became faint and low. ooh sir, you
both were soldiers; freely forgive" and
the poor girl, who could say no more, fell
unconscious upon the floor. THANK God,
he murmured, and all was over.
When Rhett Myron recovered, the man
who had killed her father, and who was
later the best friend she ever knew, was
dead. In his will he bequeathed to her the
generous sum of SIS, 1000. He also left let
ter giving all the particulars of her father;
death. Only few days ago saw the pic
iure-a sweet child face, in an azure cloud
and on the little plush case were marks o
blood. This is certainly the most remarka
BILE incident it has ever been my privilege
to record.
BULL AND STALLION F1euT. "A Wellsville
Ohio, dispatch of August 10th says:
"a fierce and novel battle was witnessed yes